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I've already pulled the trigger on this, so I'm not so much looking for advice as affirmation...
I've opted for a large in the tungsten grey. I'm a whisker under 6ft and not spidery in the legs, so I think I've done the right thing.
Frame + shock + rear axle + headset + seatclamp for around £980. I've also had to order some boost adapters for the rear hub and a 35mm stem due to the reach.
I'm going to run a 150mm Yari in it, but might knock that down to 140mm if it feels silly.
So, go on, tell me how much you love yours etc, please...
I've ridden a large 120, a large 145, and currently have a large 160, the 120 felt horrible in comparison to both of these 😆
^^^
Oh cheers for that.
🙂
If it helps I had a Bird Aether 7 for just shy of 2 years - it was great. Essentially it was a 120 with a 130 link / slightly slacker HA / slightly shorter chainstays / slightly steeper seat angle. But not that much different.
The frames are decent quality with good geometry and good support from Bird. I preferred my Aether with a 150mm fork to a 140mm. But I like to prioritise the downs rather than the ups and alongs.
Edit - to add I had a 145 with both the 145 and 160mm link and preferred the Aether. I prefer my new Sentinel 2022 alloy to all of them though 🤣
Not sure if it helps but I think this shock might fit and it's 70 quid.. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/rockshox-deluxe-select-mtb-rear-shock/rp-prod208578
Well, I am coming from a V2 Bossnut, so I'm expecting a night/day experience!
They’re similar travel bikes - but the Aeris is a bit slacker I think. Also 4 bar suspension instead of linkage controlled single pivot. Assuming the Bossnut was standard the Yari is a good chunk better than a Rekon. Should be a good bit better!
Thanks for that Horatio, just bought one as a spare for Aether if my coil goes wonky or is off for a service!
I love mine but it's getting no use so I'm selling it on the classifieds if anyone's tempted
https://singletrackworld.com/classifieds/advert/bird-aeris-120/
Yeah, like mine.
-2 headset in it made a huge difference, much better. Running it with a Pike at 130, and Deluxe ultimate.35mm stem, 179cm on an ML
Ate first set of bearings in no time at all, which I wasn't impressed by, and health issues have stopped me giving the replacement set a proper go.
Absolutely love mine...has the extra travel rear linkage so 140 front and 130 rear. I managed to ovalise the chainstay bearing and was going to buy an Aether 7 but they don't do XL as most folk going XL then got 29er - I'm not interested in 29er. So large 120 as it fits me better than the aether 7. Aether 7 has a lower standover height and 10mm longer reach.
The large already looks small on me (I'm 6'1" with lanky arms and legs), so the aether 7 would be a clown bike on me.
Really happy with the 120 frame, but bird did say it wasn't intended for more than a 140mm fork but the aether 7 was.
Would happily have another as I really like the way it rides. Won't be to everyone's taste but it works for me.
I have a LT variant in medium large at 5'10. It is a long old thing even compared to the 905 I had, and still have, previous to it.
Whenever I take it somewhere properly hilly/challenging trail centre I do wonder about whether something with more travel might be better but given the normal terrain I absolutely love it and can get some pretty reasonable miles in on it.
I had an aether 7 and wanted to set myself in fire rather than ride it.
I think the lls sensation can be hard to ride.
Not convinced i agree with that Joe... i'm 6'0 and bought a large...that seemed and seems correct. Would a ML have been better... well, maybe.... but i'm not 100% convinced about that.
You bought based on Whyte sizing not on the actual reach sizing of Bird. You seem to like a more traditional reach and the Large Aether is over 500mm in reach. Which is very long. I think the ML is nearer 480mm which is pretty similar to the Trek Fuel Ex in large
https://www.bird.bike/about-bird/size-guide/
Strictly speaking, i bought it within the sizing Bird say... but you're right in the fact i generally prefer shorter over longer. The only reason i've not bought a Status this weekend is that there's no S3s about. Even though Specialized arguably say i should be an S4.
Yeah their size guide doesn’t work for me either - I bought an ML Aeris 145 and for most of the time it was ok but no matter what I did I couldn’t weight the front wheel enough in fast and flat corners. Went to a medium Aether and all good. My Sentinel is near enough the same reach as the Aether too.
I reckon I could go a bit longer - maybe 460-465mm but that’s about the limit as I have quite a short torso / short arms / longer legs for my height.
For me I’d go s3 on the status at 462mm reach. Looks like the s4 is 487mm so maybe a bit longer than your Trek but shorter than your Aether was. Knowing you feel comfy on the s3 your lad has got it’s probably sensible to wait for an S3 (or keep the Trek)
it’s probably sensible to wait for an S3 (or keep the Trek)
Who said the Trek was going 😉 ?